Physical Therapist Salary in Pennsylvania: $105,493 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Pennsylvania's 25 metropolitan areas, the average median physical therapist pay sits at $105,493/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 29-1123. Because Pennsylvania sits at BEA RPP 97.4 (3% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $108,309 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Bethlehem ($106,892), Philadelphia ($105,790), Williamsport ($105,340).
In Pennsylvania, physical therapist salaries in 2026 are projected to average $105,493, slightly higher than the national median of $105,288, indicating a 0.2% premium for professionals in the state. The highest paying city is Bethlehem, with salaries at $109,522, while West Chester offers the lowest at $97,017, creating a salary gap of $12,505. Factors driving this disparity include cost of living variations, demand for services, and the concentration of healthcare facilities in urban areas. The state has specific licensing requirements and scope of practice laws that influence salary levels and job responsibilities. With a total of 12,370 physical therapists employed, Pennsylvania observes a solid annual growth rate of 2.46%, suggesting a healthy demand for physical therapy services. Major metropolitan areas projected to offer competitive salaries include Philadelphia at $108,392, Williamsport at $107,931, Allentown at $106,917, and Gettysburg at $106,446. Overall, the job market for physical therapists in Pennsylvania appears promising, with steady growth and favorable salary prospects across various regions, driven by an aging population and an increased focus on rehabilitation and preventive care.
Pennsylvania Physical Therapist Salary Range
Overall salary range in Pennsylvania: $73,564 (lowest entry-level) to $141,343 (highest top earner)
Pennsylvania vs National Average
Pennsylvania physical therapists earn 0.19% more than the national median (+$205/year difference).
Pennsylvania Physical Therapist Salary Distribution (2026)
Physical Therapist salaries in Pennsylvania range from $80,544 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $131,649 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $105,493. The Pennsylvania median is $205 above the US national median of $105,288. The average hourly rate is $50.72/hr. Approximately 12,370 physical therapists are employed across 25 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$88,523
2025 BLS Actual
$102,960
2026 Current Est.
$105,493
2019–2027 Growth
+22.1%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapists in Pennsylvania (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.46% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $88,523 | Actual |
| 2020 | $89,941 | Actual |
| 2021 | $93,767 | Actual |
| 2022 | $98,723 | Actual |
| 2023 | $101,064 | Actual |
| 2024 | $100,942 | Actual |
| 2025 | $102,960 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $105,493 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $108,088 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Pennsylvania metropolitan area, the median physical therapist salary grew 16.3% from $88,523 (2019) to $102,960 (2025). At a 2.46% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $108,088 by 2027 — a total increase of $19,565 (22.10%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Pennsylvania metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 2.46% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Top 5 Highest Paying Cities in Pennsylvania
Lowest Paying Cities in Pennsylvania
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| West Chester | $97,017 |
| Erie | $97,163 |
| Pottstown | $97,734 |
| New Castle | $99,144 |
| Altoona | $100,114 |
Best Value Cities for Physical Therapists in Pennsylvania
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Pennsylvania cities offer the most purchasing power for physical therapists.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Williamsport | $107,931 | 92.35 | $116,872 |
| Johnstown | $100,278 | 85.929 | $116,699 |
| Bethlehem | $109,522 | 97.4 | $112,446 |
| Lebanon | $104,530 | 93.214 | $112,140 |
| Altoona | $100,114 | 89.507 | $111,850 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Pennsylvania
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $80,544 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $105,493 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $131,649 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Pennsylvania metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 25 Cities in Pennsylvania
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bethlehem | $109,522 |
| 2 | Philadelphia | $108,392 |
| 3 | Williamsport | $107,931 |
| 4 | Allentown | $106,917 |
| 5 | Gettysburg | $106,446 |
| 6 | Lancaster | $105,780 |
| 7 | Reading | $105,483 |
| 8 | Easton | $105,082 |
| 9 | York | $104,683 |
| 10 | Lebanon | $104,530 |
| 11 | Chambersburg | $102,726 |
| 12 | Harrisburg | $102,624 |
| 13 | Wilkes-Barre | $101,978 |
| 14 | Scranton | $101,968 |
| 15 | State College | $101,405 |
| 16 | Hazleton | $100,563 |
| 17 | Norristown | $100,371 |
| 18 | Johnstown | $100,278 |
| 19 | Pittsburgh | $100,155 |
| 20 | Chester | $100,137 |
| 21 | Altoona | $100,114 |
| 22 | New Castle | $99,144 |
| 23 | Pottstown | $97,734 |
| 24 | Erie | $97,163 |
| 25 | West Chester | $97,017 |
More Pennsylvania Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore physical therapist hourly pay in Pennsylvania cities.
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced physical therapists.
Compare Cities in Pennsylvania
View all comparisons →Explore More Physical Therapist Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do physical therapists make in Pennsylvania in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for physical therapists in Pennsylvania?
How does Pennsylvania physical therapist pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level physical therapist salary in Pennsylvania?
How many physical therapists are employed in Pennsylvania?
Which Pennsylvania city offers the best value for physical therapists?
Written by Alex Morgan, DPT
Career Analyst
Alex Morgan has over 10 years of experience in physical therapy. They specialize in orthopedic rehabilitation. Alex works in a private practice setting.
Methodology & Data Source
Statewide salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 2.46% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 physical therapist compensation across Pennsylvania. State averages are employment-weighted across 25 metro areas — larger metro areas with more physical therapistscontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and experience.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 2.46%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for physical therapists (SOC 29-1123).
Compiled and verified by Alex Morgan, DPT, a licensed physical therapist with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov